Golf tee souvenir

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a golf tee souvenir, comprised of: a flat support form, supporting unassembled golf tee components. The unassembled tee components are planar and lie parallel to the surface of the flat support. The golf tee components are removable from the flat support form and may be assembled to form a golf tee adapted to support a golf ball thereupon. The flat support form may resemble one of: a postcard, a business card, a keychain ornament, a membership card, a tournament card, and a memento. Printing may be displayed on any part of the invention. Additional golf aids may be included, such as a planar ball marker, and a planar pitch-mark repair tool. The invention additionally provides planar golf aid tools without an underlying support, such as a planar golf tee, a planar ball marker, and a planar pitch-mark repair tool.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to a golf tee which may be initially provided to a user as unassembled golf tee components supported by a flat support form. The flat support form may resemble, for instance, a key chain ornament, a business card, a membership card or a postcard, and may be offered as a souvenir. The golf tee components are planar, and thus lie parallel to the surface of the flat form.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf tees are used by golfers to raise the ball from the grass and allow it to be readily struck from the teeing area. Numerous tees have been developed having distinct advantages such as being height-adjustable, easily recovered after being struck, and able to withstand the impact of repeated use.

Golfers appreciate souvenirs from the various golf courses they have played at. A golfer traveling to another location will typically collect a souvenir from each course he has visited. Souvenirs typically include golf balls, towels, repair tools, shirts, hats, score cards, and any item embossed with the golf course logo.

Golf tees are the least collected item, perhaps due to their small size. It is desirable to increase the available printing surface on golf tees, allowing golf tees to become a handy and useful souvenir.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0064959 to Ortiz describes a golf tee which has a specific lengthened area upon which promotional advertising may be printed. The Ortiz tee, and others like it are conventional and thus unexciting.

It would be advantageous to have a new tee which is eye-catching and multi-functional, which may be used as a memorable souvenir offered to a golf aficionado.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a golf tee which is memorable and easily fitted into a wallet or case. The golf tee may be provided as unassembled components supported by a flat support form, which may resemble for instance, a business card, a membership card, a postcard, or a key chain ornament. The user may assemble the golf tee to its final tee form at any time.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,396 to Veylupek Jr. et al, describes a business card, having a circular center which may be punched out, after which the remainder of the card is bent to form a golf tee. The business card of Veylupek Jr. is not a stable or reliable golf tee, as it remains essentially a disfigured business card. The business card suffers from the disadvantages of golf tees formed of cardboard or light-weight paper, namely, the tee may be overturned by even a slight breeze, and stability is lacking on uneven ground. The business card contact information will not be retained if the golf tee is used, defeating the purpose of a business card.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a functional and reliable golf tee which may be removed and assembled from a flat support form, while the remainder of the form may be retained, if desired, for business contact information, as a membership card, or as a memento such as a key-chain ornament.

These and other objects of the invention will be described in the detailed description of the invention that follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a golf tee, which is typically provided to a user as unassembled tee components supported by a flat support form. The flat support form may resemble for instance, a postcard, a business card, or a keychain ornament. The components of the golf tee are typically planar, and lie flat in parallel to surface of the support form. The tee components thus may be left upon the support for any length of time, while the support form is utilized as a business card, or postcard, and the planar nature of the golf tee components allows the support and attached components to readily fit inside a wallet, an envelope or a user's pocket, without jutting out. The tee components may remain upon the support while the support is mailed as a postcard. The tee components may be removed by the user from the surrounding flat form support, and are readily assembled to form a golf tee. Assembly of the golf tee components together, transforms the flat unassembled components into a three-dimensional golf tee capable of supporting a golf ball upon it. The surrounding flat form support may be retained by the user, who may continue to use it as a business card, key chain ornament or a souvenir.

The present invention provides a golf tee souvenir, comprised of a flat support form, supporting unassembled golf tee components. The unassembled golf tee components are planar and lie parallel to the surface of the flat support. The components are removable from the flat support form and may be assembled to form a golf tee adapted to support a golf ball thereupon.

In some embodiments, the flat support form resembles at least one of the following: a postcard, a business card, a keychain ornament, a membership card, a tournament card, and a memento.

In one presently preferred embodiment, the golf tee components are comprised of a stem component, and a slotted shim component. The slotted shim component mates with the upper end of the stem component. The upper end of the stem component and the upper area of the slotted shim component are concave for receiving a golf ball. Moreover, optionally, mating of the slotted shim component and the stem component is provided by a receiving slot present on the upper end of stem component, which mates with the terminal slotted end of the slotted shim.

Optionally, a locking mechanism may be included, for securing the golf tee components together after assembly has occurred.

The golf tee souvenir may display printing thereupon. The printing displayed may be selected from: a commercial logo, business contact information, a personalized message, a photographic image, and a postcard form.

Further, a planar ball marker may be included in the invention, supported by the flat support form.

Still further, a planar pitch-mark repair tool may also be included in the invention, supported by the flat support form.

In some embodiments of the golf tee souvenir of the invention, a plurality of tee components are supported by the flat support form. The golf tee components may be designed to appear in aesthetically pleasing patterns.

Moreover, the golf tee souvenir may have any predetermined thickness. It may optionally be formed from a material selected from: plastic, paperboard, wood, bamboo, rubber, recycled rubber and recycled plastic, or any other material.

In some embodiments, the golf tee souvenir is manufactured using a method selected from: casting, molding, laser cutting, mechanical cutting, and etching. Any method of manufacture may be utilized.

Further, the unassembled golf tee components may be pre-cut into the surface of the flat support form, such that upon removal of the golf tee components, a void is formed in the support form. Alternatively, the unassembled golf tee components may be temporarily fixed to the external surface of the support form, such that after removal of the golf tee components, the flat support form remains intact.

The invention additionally provides stand-alone planar golf aid tools, which are supplied without the need for an underlying support form. The planar golf aid tools have essentially two dimensions, and are selected from at least one of the following:

-   -   golf tee components adapted to be assembled to form a golf tee         capable of supporting     -   a golf ball thereupon;     -   a ball marker; and:     -   a pitch-mark repair tool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a flat support form, supporting a plurality of unassembled golf tee components.

FIG. 2A illustrates a flat support form resembling a souvenir such as a memento from a wedding. FIG. 2B, illustrates a flat support form resembling a business card. In FIGS. 2A, 2B, flat support form supports two sets of components for formation of two tees.

FIG. 2C illustrates a flat support form, resembling a business card, and supporting: a pitch-mark repair tool, for repairing irregular patches of grass, golf tee components, and a golf ball marker.

FIG. 3 illustrates planar nature of two golf components, namely planar stem component and planar slotted shim.

FIG. 4 illustrates stem component and slotted shim component, oriented in preparation for mating for formation of final golf tee, in a perspective view.

FIG. 5 illustrates partial mating of golf tee components.

FIG. 6 illustrates the final assembled golf tee, in perspective view.

FIG. 7 illustrates another perspective view of the final assembled golf tee.

FIG. 8 illustrates use of the final assembled golf tee, to support a golf ball prior to teeing off.

FIG. 9 illustrates a plurality of golf tee components supported by flat support form, with components arranged in an aesthetic design.

FIG. 10 illustrates ball markers and pitch-mark repair tool, supported on flat support form, in addition to golf tee components.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flat support which is a tournament pass.

FIG. 12 illustrates a flat support which is a postcard.

FIG. 13 illustrates a flat support which is a membership card to a golf course.

FIG. 14 illustrates a flat support displaying a photographic image thereon.

FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of a locking mechanism for securing golf tee components together.

FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of flat support as a cut-out shape, with golf aids connected by barbs to flat support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. There is no intention to limit the invention to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The invention generally relates to a golf tee, which is typically provided to a user as unassembled tee components supported by a flat support form. The flat support form may resemble for instance, a postcard, a business card, or a keychain ornament. The components of the golf tee are typically planar, and lie flat in parallel to surface of the support form. The tee components thus may be left upon the support for any length of time, while the support form is utilized as a business card, or postcard, and the planar nature of the golf tee components allows the support and attached components to readily fit inside a wallet, an envelope or a user's pocket, without jutting out. The tee components may remain upon the support while the support is mailed as a postcard. The tee components may be removed by the user from the surrounding flat form support, and are readily assembled to form a golf tee. Assembly of the golf tee components together, transforms the flat unassembled components into a three-dimensional golf tee capable of supporting a golf ball upon it. The surrounding flat form support may be retained by the user, who may continue to use it as a business card, key chain ornament or a souvenir.

Referring now to FIG. 1, flat support form 100 is illustrated, and supports in this instance, a plurality of unassembled golf tee components, including downwardly tapered stem components 20 a-20 f, and slotted shim components 30 a-30 f. Assembly together of a stem component 20 and a slotted shim 30, forms the final golf tee; assembly is described herein below in relation to FIGS. 4-6.

Flat support form 100 displays printing 32, which may be a personalized message, a commercial logo, or business contact information.

Referring to FIG. 2A, flat support form 100 resembles a souvenir such as a memento from a wedding, with printing 32 displaying the wedding date and name of the bride and groom. Flat support form 100 is a keychain ornament and includes hole 64 through which key-ring (not shown) may be introduced.

Referring to FIG. 2B, alternatively, flat support form 100 may resemble a business card, with business contact information displayed in printing 32 a, 32 b, 32 c.

Referring to FIG. 2C, flat support form 100 includes a pitch-mark repair tool 34, typically used to repair irregular patches of grass located near a golf hole. Pitch-mark repair tool 34 may be present on flat support form 100 in addition to the golf tee components (stem component 20 and slotted shim 30). Pitch-mark repair tool 34 includes tines 60 a, 60 b, for repairing pitch marks.

Referring still to FIG. 2C, flat support form 100 includes ball marker 36, typically used to indicate location of a ball which has been removed temporarily to allow a subsequent golfer to progress beyond a shared location. Ball marker 36 may have apertures 38 through which grass may enter, to secure ball marker in place on the golf course. One or more ball markers 36 may be included in flat support form 100 in addition to the golf tee components (stem component 20 and slotted shim 30). In the embodiment shown, ball marker 36 is coaxial to the center of pitch-mark repair tool 34. After removal of ball marker 36, a finger-hole will remain at the center of pitch-mark repair tool 34, for ease of gripping of pitch-mark repair tool 34. Flat support form 100 thus includes three golf aid tools on a single support, which may conveniently be the size of a business card. Referring to FIG. 3, golf tee components are enlarged for clarity, after they are removed from flat support form 100. Note planar nature of golf tee components, allowing them to lie flat in parallel to flat support form 100, prior to assembly, without hindrance when placed in a user's wallet or pocket.

Golf tee components include stem component 20 and slotted shim 30. Stem component 20 is downwardly tapered, concluding in tapered ground spike 40 for piercing the ground and anchoring final assembled tee in place. Upper end 42 of stem component 20 is concave for receiving a golf ball. Upper end 42 of stem component 20 further includes receiving slot 44 for mating with terminal end 46 of slotted shim 30.

Upper end 42 of stem component 20 additionally comprises projection 48, which mates with niche 50 of slotted shim 30 after assembly of golf tee components (stem component 20 and slotted shim 30). Projection 48 and niche 50 form a locking mechanism that locks the golf tee components together for use during teeing.

Slotted shim 30 includes concave upper area 52 for receiving a golf ball.

Referring to FIG. 4, stem component 20 and slotted shim 30 are illustrated oriented in preparation for mating for formation of final golf tee. Stem component 20 and slotted shim 30 are essentially flat and thus have lain within the plane of flat form 100 without protruding beyond the surface of flat support form 100.

Prior to assembly, stem component 20 and slotted shim 30 are removed from flat support form, and a 90° angle is formed between them, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Terminal end 46 of shim 30 is neared towards upper end 42 of stem component 20, in advance of mating.

Referring to FIG. 5, slotted shim 30 and stem 20 have mated such that terminal end 46 of slotted shim 30 has entered receiving slot 44 on upper end 42 of stem component 20.

Referring to FIG. 6, final assembled golf tee 54 is shown. Ball seat 56 for receiving and supporting a golf ball is formed of upper concave areas 52 and 42 originating in upper ends of slotted shim 30 and stem 20, respectively. Ball seat 56 is concave and shaped as a cross. Locking mechanism (not shown) secures slotted shim 30 and stem 20 in place after mating has occurred, so that golf tee 54 remains a single unit as long as a user requires. One example of locking mechanism, shown in relation to FIG. 3, comprises projection 48 of stem component 20 and niche 50 of slotted shim 30, which may be mated together to lock in a reversible manner.

Referring to FIG. 7, another view of final assembled golf tee 54 is illustrated. Slotted shim 30 and stem 20 have mated such that ball seat 56 formed by the upper end of these components appears as a single unit capable of receiving and supporting a golf ball.

Referring to FIG. 8, in use of the final assembled golf tee, tapered ground spike 40 of final assembled golf tee 54 has pierced the ground (not shown), and golf ball 58 has been placed upon the golf tee 54. Teeing off may begin. In certain embodiments, ground spike 40 may have a blunt end which enters the ground instead of a tapered end.

In certain embodiments, the tee components slotted shim 30 and stem 20 may be of equal length.

Referring to FIG. 9, flat support form 100 may include any number of golf tee components (slotted shim 30 and stem 20 components) as desired, which may be designed to appear in aesthetically pleasing patterns. Note placement of components in FIG. 9, and compare to additional pattern formed by components in FIG. 1. The layout of components is unlimited and may be personalized. Golf tee components may optionally be provided in various length, allowing a user to select a specific length of tee.

Referring to FIG. 10, flat support form 100 includes ball markers 36 a, 36 b, pitch mark repair tool 34 and several sets of golf tee components (slotted shims 30 and stems 20). Pitch-mark repair tool 34 includes friction grips 62 which ease gripping of the tool. Flat support 100 may resemble a post-card in size.

Referring to FIG. 11, flat support 100 is a tournament pass which may be worn by a user. One or more sets of tee components and/or pitch-mark repair tool, or ball marker, may be included.

Referring to FIG. 12, flat support 100 resembles a postcard, and is shown in frontal view (upper section of FIG. 12) and in rear view (lower section of FIG. 12).

Referring to FIG. 13, flat support 100 is a membership card provided to a member of a golf course. Printing 32 displays the name of the member and the membership expiry date.

Referring to FIG. 14, flat support form 100 displays an individualized image 66 which may be a photographic image of the golf course. In certain embodiments, the image 66 may be a photographic image of the golf instructor, or of the user. In other embodiments, various graphic backgrounds may be displayed upon flat support 100. Tee components 20, 30 and ball markers 36 are apparent upon flat support 100.

Referring to FIG. 15, an alternative embodiment of a locking mechanism is shown. Stem component 20 includes aperture 68 for accepting hook 70 present on slotted shim 30. After hook 70 has entered aperture 68, locking of golf tee components (shim 30 and stem 20) occurs, securing the final tee together for use.

Referring to FIG. 16, flat support 100 appears as a cut-out shape, with golf aids connected by barbs 72 to flat support 100. Golf aids, such as golf tee components (20, 30), ball marker 36 and pitch-mark repair tool 34, are readily removed from barbs 72 by bending golf aids away from flat support 100. Printing 32 includes business contact information.

The invention may be made of any material known to man. In presently preferred embodiments, the material is selected from a plastic, paperboard, wood, or bamboo, in any thickness desired. Manufacture of the flat support form, and formation of the golf tee components (and optionally ball marker and pitch-mark repair tool), may be accomplished using processes known in the art, including, but not limited to, casting, molding, laser cutting or mechanical cutting, or etching. In certain embodiments of the invention, the material used may be recyclable or biodegradable, or may derive from recycled materials, including recycled rubber or recycled plastic.

Golf tee components and optional pitch-mark repair tool or ball marker, may be pre-cut into surface of flat support form, so that upon removal of these components, voids remain in the surrounding support form. Alternatively, components may be lightly fixed to the external surface of the support form with adhesive or with flexible bands, so that removal of the components leaves the flat support intact.

Printing may be performed on any area of the invention, such as upon any part of flat support form, on the golf tee components, ball pitch-mark repair tool, or ball marker. The printing may be, for instance, a personalized message, a commercial logo, or business contact information. Marking may also be performed during the production process using, for instance, laser marking or casting.

In certain embodiments, one can envision that the golf tee, ball marker or pitch-mark repair tool (herein “golf aid tools”), may be provided without the flat support. In such case, golf tee components and other golf aid tools will nevertheless retain their unique planar design, allowing them to be easily packaged and easily stored by a user.

The present invention thus provides memorable and functional golf tees, which may be provided to a user as souvenirs of a visit to a golf course. The golf tees may be retained for any period of time upon the flat support form, since they are planar in nature and lie flat upon the support. A user may thus readily fit the planar support including the golf tee components in his wallet or pocket. The flat support may resemble a membership card, a postcard, a tournament card, a keychain ornament, or a memento. Any printing or image may be displayed on the flat support, or on the golf tee components, and thus the invention may be utilized for promotional purposes. Optionally, planar ball marker or planar pitch-mark tool may be included in the invention. Planar golf tees of the invention are optimal souvenirs for golf aficionados.

Having described the invention with regard to certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the description is not meant as a limitation, as further modifications will now become apparent to those skilled in the art, and it is intended to cover such modifications as are within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A golf tee souvenir, comprised of: a flat support form, supporting unassembled golf tee components, wherein said unassembled golf tee components are planar and lie parallel to the surface of said flat support, wherein said golf tee components are removable from said flat support form and may be assembled to form a golf tee adapted to support a golf ball thereupon.
 2. The golf tee souvenir of claim 1, wherein said flat support form resembles at least one of the following: a postcard, a business card, a keychain ornament, a membership card, a tournament card, and a memento.
 3. The golf tee souvenir of claim 1, wherein said golf tee components are comprised of a stem component, and a slotted shim component, said slotted shim component mating with the upper end of said stem component, wherein the upper end of said stem component and the upper area of said slotted shim component are concave for receiving a golf ball.
 4. The golf tee souvenir of claim 3, wherein mating of said slotted shim component and said stem component is comprised of a receiving slot present on the upper end of stem component, said receiving slot mating with the terminal slotted end of said slotted shim.
 5. The golf tee souvenir of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism for securing golf tee components together after assembly has occurred.
 6. The golf tee souvenir of claim 1, wherein said golf tee souvenir displays printing thereupon.
 7. The golf tee souvenir of claim 6, wherein said printing displayed is selected from: a commercial logo, business contact information, a personalized message, a photographic image, and a postcard form.
 8. The golf tee souvenir of claim 1, further comprising a planar ball marker supported by said flat support form.
 9. The golf tee souvenir of claim 1, further comprising a planar pitch-mark repair tool supported by said flat support form.
 10. The golf tee souvenir of claim 1, wherein said golf tee souvenir comprises a plurality of tee components supported by said flat support form.
 11. The golf tee souvenir of claim 1, wherein said golf tee components are designed to appear in aesthetically pleasing patterns.
 12. The golf tee souvenir of claim 1, wherein said golf tee souvenir has a predetermined thickness, and is formed from a material selected from: plastic, paperboard, wood, bamboo, rubber, recycled rubber and recycled plastic.
 13. The golf tee souvenir of claim 1, wherein said golf tee souvenir is manufactured using a method selected from: casting, molding, laser cutting, mechanical cutting, and etching.
 14. The golf tee souvenir of claim 1, wherein said unassembled golf tee components are pre-cut into the surface of said flat support form, such that upon removal of said golf tee components, a void is formed in said support form.
 15. The golf tee souvenir of claim 1, wherein said unassembled golf tee components are temporarily fixed to the external surface of said support form, such that after removal of said golf tee components, said flat support form remains intact.
 16. The golf tee souvenir of claim 1, wherein said flat support form has a cut-out appearance, and said unassembled golf tee components are connected to said flat support form by barbs.
 17. A planar golf aid tool, having essentially two dimensions, selected from at least one of the following: a) golf tee components adapted to be assembled to form a golf tee capable of supporting a golf ball thereupon; b) a ball marker; c) a pitch-mark repair tool. 